My daughter and I took the Portland Police Bureau's WomenStrength class, when Ali was a teenager. She was initially reluctant to participate, but later agreed that "Mother knows best" - at least in this instance. I strongly support funding for and participation in this program.

Founded in 1979, WomenStrength has provided free self-defense classes for thousands of women in the Portland area. WomenStrength also offers personal safety workshops for both men and women, and launched its GirlStrength division for young women between the ages of 10 and 14 in 2008. Together, WomenStrength and GirlStrength provide invaluable instruction that can help you diffuse and escape a potentially violent or threatening situation. Click here to read the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault guidelines for choosing a women's self-defense course.

Preparedness, education, and awareness of one's surroundings can help women avoid and/or survive assaults in the community and at home. With proper training, the chances of surviving a violent encounter increase significantly. Training provided in self-defense classes has real-world, life-saving potential and should be taken seriously.

WomenStrength classes are taught in a sequence of three sessions, and it is essential to attend all three sessions in order. For information, click here. Please call 503-823-0260 to register. Encourage your friends, relatives, and loved ones to enroll with you - the information and training could save their lives too. Upcoming classes are as follows:

Introductory WomenStrength Self-Defense Classes

Registration begins Tuesday, May 8th at 9:00 a.m.

Saturdays, June 2nd, 9th and 16th from 9:30am-12:30 pm

East Portland Community Center

740 SE 106th (Take I-205 to Washington/Stark exit. Take Washington east to 106th. Turn right. Community center is about 2 blocks down on the left.)

Bus line: 15, 26

Tuesdays, June 5th, 12th and 19th from 5:30-8:30 pm

St. Johns Community Center

8427 N Central (from I-5, take Lombard West exit. Drive to community of St Johns.

Turn right on Leavitt which dead ends at the center. Center is behind the Safeway. Follow signs to gym) Bus Line: 4, 40, 75

WomenStrength Intermediate Class

Saturday, May 19th from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

*Note: Plan to bring your own lunch

Gateway Fred Meyer, PPB Contact office

1111 NE 102nd Ave, Suite F

(on the East side of the building, look for large Police Badge)

WomenStrength Intermediate Self-Defense Classes:

are free.

are held once a quarter at the Family Services Division

are for adult women who have taken a regular WomenStrength class or refresher within the past six months.

are offered in one seven hour session for women who want to build on the Introductory WomenStrength Class.

Call 823-0260 to register or for more information.

GirlStrength Classes

Sunnyside Environmental School — Ages 12-14

3421 SE Salmon St. Portland, OR 97214

Contact: (971) 570-8131

Dates: Wednesdays -- Apr 4th - Jun 6th, 2012

Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Si Se Puede—Yes We Can!

6736 NE Killingsworth St. Balthazar Ortiz Community Center

Contact: (503)501-8851

Dates: Thursdays -- April 5-May 31st, 2012

Time: 6:00 pm -7:30 pm

Registration information and requirements - as well as schedules for additional GirlStrength classes, workshops, and camps - can be found here.